battery

[grahampconrad]

what happens if you put strait water in generator battery?

[Wind_River]

"Typical" city water may be high in mineral content. Just spend the $1 for a gallon of distilled water.

[theoldwizard1]

grahampconrad wrote:
what happens if you put strait water in generator battery?

If it is "typical" city water, you are fine.

The problem is well water that has a high mineral content. It will shorten the life of the battery.

[gbopp]

ACZL wrote:
Water straight from the tap is either well or city is what we are talking about w/ minerals,chlorine etc. No additives..

Just checking, I like to be sure of the question before I give my incorrect answer. :B

[ACZL]

gbopp wrote:
What do you mean by straight water? Well water or chlorinated city water?
Both have chemicals, minerals, etc.. Or do you use a battery addative and are asking about adding distilled water without the additive?

As said above, a little to top off the battery will probably not be a problem. But why take a chance.
$1.00 for distilled water or $100.00+ for a battery.

Water straight from the tap is either well or city is what we are talking about w/ minerals,chlorine etc. No additives. Just use distilled water. Should be just a couple bucks/gal. Buy it at local drug store (Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid) or supermarket.

[gbopp]

What do you mean by straight water? Well water or chlorinated city water?
Both have chemicals, minerals, etc.. Or do you use a battery addative and are asking about adding distilled water without the additive?

As said above, a little to top off the battery will probably not be a problem. But why take a chance.
$1.00 for distilled water or $100.00+ for a battery.

[Bumpyroad]

if you are talking about a very small amount of water to top the cells off I doubt there will be any effect. if you have to continuously add a bunch of water you have other issues involved. but yep, for $1.00 a gallon of distilled water will be better.

bumpy

[Ski_Pro_3]

To answer that question, ever look at a dish a potted plant has sat in for a long time? Those deposits are from water constantly being added and evaporated. Eventually it forms a very hard crust that blocks the dish itself.
Same with the battery's plates. The water, constantly being replaced as it evaporates, leaves behind impurities that crust over the battery internals until they are so coated, they don't work at their best efficiency.

[time2roll]

Depends on the mineral content. Especially bad if your water is high in iron. Battery just loses capacity and cranking amps.

[ScottG]

It wont immediately destroy the battery but the minerals in tap water will shorten its life.
Why not spend $1 for the good stuff?

[Ava]

It is always recommended to use distilled water as it is hard to know the quality of regular water.
I have used tap water before without problems but we are fortunate to have very soft, clean, non chlorinated water that tests show very minimal deposits in it.

[ACZL]

Better off w/ distilled water IPO regular water. As for your question, someone else will have to answer.